Coming on Friday, November 1 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the third and final Test match between India and New Zealand is by no means a meaningless event. Despite taking an insurmountable 2-0 lead, the Kiwis must win their final four games in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle in order to advance to the championship game the following year. In the meantime, India needs to win four of their next six games in order to remain competitive. Therefore, the Mumbai Test has a great deal of significance because to the important WTC points that are at issue.
It’s interesting to note that the announcement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retentions will take place the night before the Test match. Many cricket fans, who are eagerly awaiting the outcome of their favourite players’ fates ahead of yet another exciting IPL season, have been distracted by this.
The head coach of India, Gautam Gambhir, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 championship, claimed that he is only concerned with the third Test and is not at all bothered about the IPL retentions.
I’m not bothered by it at all. It’s probably related to tomorrow’s Indian cricket match. The subject at hand is tomorrow’s Test match. India Today reported on Thursday that Gambhir said, “IPL has nothing to do with me.”
We are very aware of the 140 crore Indians we represent: Gautam Gambhir
The third Test, according to Gautam Gambhir, is an opportunity for India to resume winning ways ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The former Indian cricket player said that playing in the game’s oldest format as a representative of the country is an honour for the players.
“To travel to Australia with a victory under our belt, we should aim to win this Test match. It’s yet another fantastic chance for citizens to do something unique for the nation.
Also Read: India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test, Weather Forecast and Pitch Report of Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
We are well aware that 140 crore Indians are represented by us. Few people get the chance and honour to play Test cricket for their country, so it’s another opportunity,” Gambhir said.